Obituary for William Kermit Muse Jr.
Bill was born in Norfolk, VA in 1940 while his father was stationed there with the U.S. Navy, but the family moved to the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, DC when he was very young.
As a child, he grew up at 1349 Mapleview Place SE, which was on a high hill overlooking the U.S. Capitol and other government buildings. A few blocks away on another high hill was the home of Frederick Douglas when he worked for the U.S. Government following the Civil War. Bill was a member of the Boy Scouts and carried papers for the Washington Post & Times Herald. He attended Anacostia High School, but after the family moved to Richmond in 1956, he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1959.
Upon moving to Richmond, he began to work for his uncle at his car dealership, Muse Buick. He first trained as a mechanic with men that he greatly admired. This allowed him to make a living after high school. In 1959, he joined the United States Coast Guard Reserve and was honored to march in the funeral procession for John Foster Dulles that same year. In 1961, he enrolled in Chowan Junior College and graduated in 1963. He continued his education at Lynchburg College and graduated there in 1965 with a degree in Political Science.
After graduation he chose to enter the United States Secret Service and witnessed the riots that occurred in Washington after the Martin Luther King assignation in 1968. He had studied MLK’s writings while at Lynchburg College and been impressed by them. It was an honor and a privilege for him to serve with this unit until he moved back to Richmond in 1970. His uncle died of cancer that year and he took over Muse Buick along with his brother and his father. They continued to run the business successfully until the franchise was sold in 1986.
In 1988, he purchased a home in Middlesex County to pursue boating and relaxation. In 2005, he joined the White Stone Church of the Nazarene where he has made many friends and created many happy memories. A highlight for him was his time with his Sunday School class where many dear friends were made. Bill enjoyed spending time with his family, his neighbors, and his friends. His wit, wisdom, and inappropriate jokes will be missed by us all.
He is survived by his partner of 18 years, Carolyn Jennings Moss; his son, William Todd Muse (Chrissy); two grandchildren, Desmond Liam Muse and Sloane Alice Muse; a niece, Charlotte Muse Mashburn (Fred), their son Christopher Scott Mashburn; and his nephew David Lindsey Muse (Reeta). He is preceded in death by his parents William Kermit Muse Sr and Gladys Gordon Muse, as well as his brother Gordon Lindsey Muse.
This picture was taken in February and was his favorite photo of him and his grandson Desmond.
Funeral Services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday June 25, 2022., at Church of the Nazarene, 57 Whisk Drive White Stone, Virginia. Interment will be !:00 p.m. Monday, June 27,2022 at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.
As a child, he grew up at 1349 Mapleview Place SE, which was on a high hill overlooking the U.S. Capitol and other government buildings. A few blocks away on another high hill was the home of Frederick Douglas when he worked for the U.S. Government following the Civil War. Bill was a member of the Boy Scouts and carried papers for the Washington Post & Times Herald. He attended Anacostia High School, but after the family moved to Richmond in 1956, he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1959.
Upon moving to Richmond, he began to work for his uncle at his car dealership, Muse Buick. He first trained as a mechanic with men that he greatly admired. This allowed him to make a living after high school. In 1959, he joined the United States Coast Guard Reserve and was honored to march in the funeral procession for John Foster Dulles that same year. In 1961, he enrolled in Chowan Junior College and graduated in 1963. He continued his education at Lynchburg College and graduated there in 1965 with a degree in Political Science.
After graduation he chose to enter the United States Secret Service and witnessed the riots that occurred in Washington after the Martin Luther King assignation in 1968. He had studied MLK’s writings while at Lynchburg College and been impressed by them. It was an honor and a privilege for him to serve with this unit until he moved back to Richmond in 1970. His uncle died of cancer that year and he took over Muse Buick along with his brother and his father. They continued to run the business successfully until the franchise was sold in 1986.
In 1988, he purchased a home in Middlesex County to pursue boating and relaxation. In 2005, he joined the White Stone Church of the Nazarene where he has made many friends and created many happy memories. A highlight for him was his time with his Sunday School class where many dear friends were made. Bill enjoyed spending time with his family, his neighbors, and his friends. His wit, wisdom, and inappropriate jokes will be missed by us all.
He is survived by his partner of 18 years, Carolyn Jennings Moss; his son, William Todd Muse (Chrissy); two grandchildren, Desmond Liam Muse and Sloane Alice Muse; a niece, Charlotte Muse Mashburn (Fred), their son Christopher Scott Mashburn; and his nephew David Lindsey Muse (Reeta). He is preceded in death by his parents William Kermit Muse Sr and Gladys Gordon Muse, as well as his brother Gordon Lindsey Muse.
This picture was taken in February and was his favorite photo of him and his grandson Desmond.
Funeral Services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday June 25, 2022., at Church of the Nazarene, 57 Whisk Drive White Stone, Virginia. Interment will be !:00 p.m. Monday, June 27,2022 at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.